Device for making tubes from sheet material



Sept. 16, 1952 F. c. WORTH 2,610,556

DEVICE FOR MAKING TUBES FROM SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 25, 1950 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

III] l7.

Inventor Francis 6. Worth 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor Francis 6. Worth r. c w'omu Fig. 6

Fig. 9

My 5 Attomqys DEVICE FOR MAKING TUBES .FROM SHEET MATERIAL Sept. 16, 1952 Flled Aug 25, 1950 Sept. 16,1952 F. erwpR'n-i DEVICE FOR MAKING TUBES FROM SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 25, 1950 6 She'ets -Sh'eet 4' F ig- 8 40 m i I 20o I 196 282 E I 2/2 92 62 s4 62 2 0 i 94 H 190 I00 95 I58 1 1 o o o 2 0 I #32 I @Im 18 0 Fig. /7

Inventor Francis 6. Wort/1 ..",ll' 30 I30 1 Sept. 16, 1952 F, g. yVORTH 2,610,556?

DEVICE FOR MAKING TUBES FROM swam mam/u. Filed Aug. 25, 1950' e sheets-week 5 Fig. l6

Inventor Francis 6. War /h Sept. 16, 1952 c, WORTH 2,610,556

DEVICE ma MAKING TUBES FROM snsm' MATERIAL Fil ed Aug. 25, 1950 V 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig. 13

[40 Inventor Francis 6. War/h y 2mm WM 3M5? Patented Sept. 16, 1952 DEVICE FOR MAKING TUBES FRGM SHEET MATERIAL Francis 0. Worth, Ridgewood, N. Y. Application August 25, 1950, Serial No, 181,514

16 Claims.

the assembly being such that the magazine moves the stack of labels over this mandrel to a glue applicator which applies glue to one edge of the bottom label, then when the magazine returns, the opposite edge of the bottom label or sheet of flexible material is held by suction on the mandrel hence rolling the bottom label on the mandrel so that it conforms to the shape of the mandrel, usually cylindrical, whereby they sheet material or label is formed in the shap of a tube or cylinder for sliding over an article.

Another object of this invention is to urge the formed label from the mandrel by means of a pusher which operates in timed sequence with the movement of the magazine, there being also provided in alignment with the longitudinal axis on the article. 7

A further object ofthis invention is to provide an improved mechanical movement in the invention, which mechanical movement includes a rodto operate successively and independent of each other, a pair of carriage blocks, said rod obtaining its motive force from a crank, the crank actuating a rotary disk, for example a gear, which has a pin rising therefrom, said pinbeing engageable with two springs, preferably of the leaf type, which springs are attached to guides and the guides being pivotally mounted are operated by the action of the pin striking the springs to pivotally shift them so that the operating element which is carried by the rod is erable, the glue pot having a means disposed therein to break the small webs of glue which are formed between 'the fingers of the applicator, prior to the contact of the applicator with one 'i edgeof the bottom label of the stack so that 2 the glue is applied in the proper amount and in a number of small quantities on the proper edge of the label and so located as to avoid contact with the label supports.

Ancillary objects and features of importance will become apparent in following the description of the illustrated form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a front view of the device;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 6 and in the direction of the arrows, the elements of the device being arranged in a position corresponding to the start of one cycle .of, operation;

Figure 3, is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2 and in the direction of the arrows; I

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 6 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows, showing particularly the mandrel and shaft assembly;

Figure 6 is a top view of the device with the cover of the housing removed;

Figure '7 is a top view somewhat similar to that of Figure 6 but showing the disposition of the various elements when the first carriage block has moved slightly more than one-half of its cycle (reciprocatory) of operation;

Figure 8 is a top view of the device similar to that shown in Figure 7 illustrating the condition of elements when the second carriage block has completed about three-quarters of its cycle of operation;

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 6 and in the direction of the arrows, showing the internal structure of the valve to control the suction in the mandrel shaft and mandrel ports; I

Figure 10 is a schematic view showing the relationship oi the magazine, spindle and glue pot with its applicator at the start of the first cycle of operation of the machine;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the structural elements in Figure 10 also showing the means of operating the valve and the means of operating the glue applicator;

Figure 12 is a schematic view showing, the relationship of the mandrel, magazine and glue applicator at the instant in which the applicator touches one edge of the bottom sheet-of the that isilwhemthe :pulleyziiiil is: mta 'ed? .Ot e; i-.f rectionr thereis drivin -roonnection rbetween the-i. pulleyiand the shaft I4,:andiwhen .-the handwheel' 10":is' 'rotated: inxthe; sameudirection, there 'is slippagezat the. clutch 'I:2;. As. previously describedthe gliiepot: I8 is.used:for.the. purposeuq g upplyfi' ing the applicator-:20; with .ianam-ple. quantity of. glue; IlllWOrkIOfi thistype it is preier-abletouseheat: softening; glue andgtherefo're; a heater; 8.6..

otwstandard construction .ziszxeonnected with-the glueapoti I a andi's controlledin ltsroperationby means off the switch 150.; .VPriontoFsetting-Jthe ma-L.

chine: i'nxoperationlthe 'switch .15 'Jshou1d- 'b'e actu'e ate'd so: asitolheatthe=.contentssof:th:.glue1pot :I.8'. In 1. orderLZthatcontrolled heat oftl iegluerin:

- the gluei pot: r'riay -he arrived :amne rheostat 1:4 0 isf appro'p'riately connectedin thelihersleadingi to the: glue pot so that manual? 'seletionroi glue temperature" is obtained. 7

I i-have 1. described Lin general: terms that: the magazine moves andthat certain-operations take place 'whe'n the magazine does-move; The movement otthe magazine is accomplished hy-'em-pl0y-' inga 'fiist set' 90" of rails 91 and '9 2 and-1asecond set 94 of rails 95 and 9B which are disposed in vertical 'supports 98 and I00 carried 'by'amounting plate l02 which is attached to'--'tlie= base '54 of -"thehousing-- 40* or; which are --thrnselv's at= tachejd directly to the "base -54 6ftlihousing 40'. A "first carriage block -I 04 isfn1ounted foi sliding movement onthe first s nor rails' 90""and a sec- *mountedro'r slidin and: carriage mock uemovment on tlie 'set 94 offrails. adjustable stop: 'preierably in the form: of a "simple screw movement in "one directionoff-the carriage block IIIW'and-thre isarsi'ni ilr stop H 0 'i'o'r'the carridge-block 06f Attention-"is firstin'vited 'to the carriag'e' 51 m:

I'04 .-'whichimoves in a single freciprofcatory cycle of operation 'foreach "lahhforming' operation.

The magazine "I 0: is'fi'xed byme'ans .of 'a"mount.-.

slot in .onewva'll oiithe housing 140",."tof'the ea riage 'bloclr' I 04; Hence when tlrie' "block Z'I 04' muv he ma azine iove ithj'iti a rackls'ear I M- which" isfengagedwitlifa' pinion I :I'B'," thi f inion being he d to a Tc'ollai'. I a The collar is attached tofthe spindle. portion" I20 .Ofthe'manGrelI 1's; and the spindle" portion isrnounted. in suitable fbear'in 's IZZTa'nd I 24, hichfare disposed.- bnjthesuppbrts I ZBT-and I282 These supports are carried.directly'byfthe base 5401*. carriedon-the mountin' giiplatel I02l;as found desirab1e.-

n; rlslfreciprocated. the :inand' 1.11s lis' rotated.

the carriageimovesfiom the'starting point of it's. eyelet of f. operatio toward the! glue pot I 8 the mandrel .i'slrotated infonef direction. But the mandrelis rotated "in the opposite direction whenthe carriage block I04. is returned. 7

p Theapplicator 20 :consistsoi asp-ringarm I30 whichlisisecured atone: end "to the oscillafi iy shaft 132. and which has-a bank=of fingers- I3 4 at: the-opposite end, ;Thesoscillatoryshatt I 32 pa s. i rqush;s i ee r ngs nfopen n eone; walls-oi the: housing 40- -and-. inthe glue pot I8. A small crank I36 is fixed to one "end of the. oscillatory: shat- 13;: and; is connected :with the, operating: rod 3, I381-through'; the medium iof he: ifi t atedpanel -1:40:

1 ;As-- disclosed inwFigure 12-. Wham-the; magazines.

. 153111 suchfpositiomthat. theefingers: I flwroiiitliez "oLw seen thatfwhn the "earriagei block into the" valve chamber 1 fills-of the valve -32-.-: A

lrlt thaappIiGatQringly the-operating rodmes: i e sue-po .8.-% i d wi ted. here. s stop; I42 fixed-tatt e operating; rod.-,- A spring 4 44;

ru on ne: uria i he st niI'B a n one surface oi thesupport Q B jiQ QI'dEI" to oppose;

the operation oi -the operating rod wfl, he b I tkr ch s 'uc etit n n: ts e Q rails. -that the stop I 42; is-.-. contacted, further.

inear mo ement-0 -t c i3 l ausev e p ratin .ro new ba tised-t is in u n r tates th h f i -throu h he 1 36a lifts ;;thegrouper. fingers I3,4- frorn the glue in theue pot 1841- he-s o ii-= 5 adiiista vx tached. totherod I 38, preferably-.5103 means: of a set screw; whereby .the..- timing (relationship. of emaeazin d lue anp ea ion a ibe ar ed: It isiessential; thata properamountgoj gl-uebe applied. to,--one edge of? thelabel-A 4;]- Thereiore in arrivingatthis amo nt thasbeen. .i h ibes to apply; the glu'e inwsmall;quar tities-:spaced sli ht y 'fr m. ea h oth r 0n.-:= n e.d a Off th label I4. Accordingly.;.-there =are -a,- number lot-.

arms .I48 extending from one wall of- -the glue pot:'I-8: and these arms are interfltted-rwith the fingers I34 in orderv to bre alethezwebs ot glue extending between-fingers I34afterrtheapplicator. 20 has been lifted from the glue supply; There-v for.e,when the fingers I534 contact one-loweredge of the. label. I4 they deposit; small gluein' individual-amounts.

Referring again to Figure 5 the axial-passage;

I50 in the mandrel I6 is seen. ihisipassage has the laterally opening portszw 'con'n-r inieatin therewith and this passage; also @has the @hose connection nipple I52 .openinggthereinto.througha the radial s1 ots...-I5,-4:in the-spindle portionilgll I ofthei inandret 16.. This: mpple, rtighasthe, ithewhose flexible. hose; 1'56 i"connected"- theret also beingconnected to an'elbow'.I 5Bwhiohopens line :I 62. which is adapted for. connection with a conventional suctionfpumpalso-opens-into the valve'chambeh I 60 for control-f byzthe :valve core. I64." This'valve-coreis passed-through an open ing :I 66'? inthe support 'I 00 and extends: to'and through the openinga98.. =Accordinglya portion ofzthevalve'core I64v which-is remote from the actual valve body may be considered thevalve stem? inasmuch: as it. is contacted; by: the carriage block I04 "inr'orderto op'erateit. 1 Specifically, there':'is a first sto'p: JI'I0 and.=-a:second gstop; I12 adjustablyisecured: to the valve stem. They are adjustahly Lconnectedt with "the ;:valve,= stem by;

any: suitable and; conventionalmeans,- such as set'. screws" and they" arelocated; in. "the line: of.

travel ofthe carriage, block 1.04. .Therefora'when the carriage :block I 04' moves to the; position of one-half completion; of/its oycle-of operationthe: stop-"pr :bloick .Il0tisucontacted by-bthe carriage block .'I 04 thereby'gpulling the;- valve stem :1 64 so asto open ithegfvalvet'z allowing-the ports: 20 to bei'suetionx ports; Through the medium of the conventional suction"pumpqconnected with the line [.62. a condition of vacuumgeXists in theports 2ti'sogas-ito do the holding of .theziedge-of the-label; V I4: opposite from. the edge having the: glue therey on; as" described in ;connection:with the general operation of. the'device. Thisavalve; setting {is retained until. such: time thatgthe carriage block and'pus'h thezvalvestemto the 'tion disclosed infligure'fi that is, thevalve closing position; v

Attention is now'invited to the functional.x'uijil;{

itsnofihecarriage;block-1:06 which is oimted $91 qua ti i Qt mam 7 linear movement on the set 94 of rails. After the block I04 has completed its cycle of operation the block I06 isactuated. A rack I90 is secured to the block I06 and is meshed with the teeth of the quadrant I92. Therefore, when the block I06 moves in its reciprocatory' travel the shaft I94 to which the quadrant I92 is attached is rotated. The gear or quadrant I96 which is also'fixed to the shaft I94 is also rotated. The quadrant I96 being enmeshed with the rack bar I98 causes the rack bar to move axially. This rack bar is rigidly fixedto or formed integral with a push rod 200 which passes through openings serving as bearings in the supports I and I28 to thereby operatethe ejector or pusher for the' label I4 which has been shaped'in cylindrical form. It has been found that the simple collar or sleeve 202 which is disposed on the mandrel It serves the purpose of ejecting the cylindrical or tubular label effectively.

A lubricant retaining element, forexample felt, is disposed in a recess 204 formed in the mandrel I0 near its inner end. This felt element 206 is of an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mandrel I6. Therefore, when the push rod 200 is pulled inwardly by the quadrant I90 the inner surface of the sleeve 202 becomes lubricated by contact with the felt element 206.

A suitable support or standard 2 I0 is disposed 4 on the bottom or base 54 of the housing and through the medium of conventional anti-friction bearings M2 the spindle or shaft I94 is mounted vertically.

' As the carriage block I03 is moved from an initial starting position disclosed in Figure '7 the push rod 200 is operated outwardly to operate the ejector 30. Then, as the-carriage block' I00 is returned, the push rod 200 is operated in the opposite direction to retract the ejector 30. 7

Reference is now made to the'specific means for causing the movement of the carriage blocks had to complete a single reciprocatory cycle of operation entirely independent of any movement of the carriage block I06. The same holds true for the carriage block I05 inasmuch as it must perform a single reciprocatory cycle of'operation in the absence of any'rnovement of the carriage block'l04.

To accomplish this thereis a rod 220 which is pivoted to a cranl; 222. The crank'is' fixed to the shaft I4 whereby it' derives its operation from the motor 52. The pinion I6 which is enmeshed with the gear'l8 is arranged to provide a two to one gear ratio so that forevery revolution of the shaft I4 there is only one-half a complete revolution of the gear I8.

A vertically rising pin 224 is fixed to the gear I8 and is arranged to contact successively the springs 226 and 228, respectively The spring 225 is fixed to one end of the guide orlguide bar 230, while'the spring 228, preferably of'the leaf type,'is fixed to the corresponding end of the 7 located between and b'elowfv the guides 230'and 232 and is employed for the purpose of-holding releasably the element 244 in the pockets-provided in'each block I04 and I06.

The means forming the pockets are disclosed best in Figure 4.. There is a, plate 250 secured to the'upper surface of the carriageblock I06 and'it is providedwithfia recessi252in its upper surface An arm "254 extends outwardlyjfrom the edge of the blocker plate 250' and isdisposed so as to cause linear movement of the block I04.

The plates 266 and 250.have been described as individual or separate from the carriage blocks on which they are disposed; It is within the purview of the invention to form the carriage blocks I05 and I04 withthe notches directly therein or with the plates 250 and'200 integrally connected therewith.

The operation of the means for reciprocating the individual carriage blocks I04and I06 is as follows: when the crank 2221s actuated the-push rod 220 is caused to oscillate. Starting from the position shown in Figure 6 the push rod 220 is;

moved rearwardly theelement 244 being disposed in the pocket in the block I04. The element 244 is now bearing against one lateral surface of the guide bar 246, and the element is disposed in the guideway formed between the guides 23ii-and 232.- Meanwhile the gear 18 is rotating. During this time the spring 228 being flexed by the pin 224 which contacts itshiftsthe V guide iiiil against the side of the element244.

After the crank is rotated to the position disclosed in Figure? the pin 2241s freed from the spring 228 preparatory to contacting the spring 226. When that contact is made the guide 230 is shifted ina 'direction so. that its outer end is urged toward the carriage. block I06.. The element 244 actually leaves. the pocket 260 and comes to rest inthe pocket 264,,when the element 244 passes around the tapered outer end of the guide bar 246. Then,,when the carriage block I06 begins its linear movement the guide 230 presses the element 244 firmly in the pocket 264. There is'a continual shifting of the element 244'from one pocket to the other after one of the carriage blocks has completed a full reciprocatory movement.

'In the event thatone of the blocks, for ex-- ample the block I06 becomes displaced on the set of rails to which it is connected,.the element 244 striking the arm 254 will return the second carriageblock I06 tothe initial rest position (Figure 7) so that there will be no cessation during the operation of; themachine arising from this cause. 7

0 An aperture or recess 280 is provided in the outer end of thespindle l6 and constitutes a holder for the container 34. describedthe Worker by simplyholdin'g theneck end of a flex ible tubeo'r other container in the recess 280 may have the tubular orc'ylindrical label inserted directly thereon after ejectment from the mandrel I6.

Inthestructural makeup of the machine there are certain mechanical expedientsresorted to, for example the use of the guide 282 to'assist in alignment. for smooth operation. Other meazine and having its axis transverse to the path of travel of the magazine, a glue. applicator, means for moving said applicator against one edge of the bottom sheet i-nsaid magazine, said mandrel having a suction port which is arranged to hold the other edge of the bottom sheet when said magazine is moving away from said'glue applicator, and said mandrel beingv of a smaller periphery than the length of the sheet so that the said edges of the sheet overlap.

8. .In a machine for forming tubes from sheets, 7

an open bottom magazine torhold a stack of sheets, at least one rail disposed below theropen bottom of said magazine to support the sheets, means for reciprocating said magazine, a rotary mandrel arranged in juxtaposition with said magazine and having its axis transverse to the path of travel of the magazine, a glue applicator, means for moving said applicator against one edge of. the bottom sheet in said magazine when said magazine is substantially at one end of its movement in its reciprocatory travel, said mandrel having a suction port with a suction line con nected therewith so that when said magazine moves away from said applicator the bottom sheet is attached to said mandrel by suction, the relation of length of sheet to periphery of mandrel being such as to cause overlap of opposite edges of sheet to form av tube on the mandrel when said magazine moves over said mandrel.

9. In a machine for forming tubes from sheets, an open bottom magazine to hold a stack of sheets, at least one rail disposed below the open bottom of said magazine to support the sheets, means for reciprocating said magazine, a rotary mandrel arranged in juxtaposition with said magazine and having its axis transverse the path of travel of the magazine, a glue applicator, means for movingsaid applicator against one edge of the bottom sheet in said magazine when said magazine is substantially at one end of its movement in its reciprocatory travel, said mandrel having a suction port with a suction line connected therewith so that when said magazine moves away from said applicator the bottom sheet is attached to said mandrel by suction, the relation of length oisheet to periphery of mandrel being such as to cause overlap of opposite edges of sheet to form a tube on the mandrel when said magazine moves over said mandrel, a valve to control said suction line, means for closing said valve when said carriage has moved Sllfficiently as to have discharged the bottom label from the magazine, and means for removin the tube from said mandrel after said valve has been closed.

10. In a device for forming a tube from a sheet by overlapping opposite edges of the sheet after applying glue to one of said edges, said device including a rotary mandrel with means to rotate it, a magazine to hold a stock of sheets, said magazine being arranged in juxtaposition with said mandrel with the axis of the mandrel transverse the path of travel of the magazine so that the bottom sheet contacts said mandrel during a part of the travel of said magazine, and means for moving said magazine linearly at such speed that the bottom sheet moves with said mandrel at the same speed as the outer surface ofthe mandrel so that there is substantially no movement of the sheet with respect to said mandrel.

11. In a device for forming a tube from a sheet by overlapping opposite edges of the sheet after applying glue to one of said edges, said device including a rotary mandrel with means to rotate verse the pathof travel of the magazine so .that' the bottom sheet, contacts said mandrel'during a part of the travel of said magazine, means for linearly moving said magazine over said rotary mandrel so that the bottom sheet contacts said mandrel, means for releasably holding atleast one edge of the sheet on the mandrel while it is being rotated, the mandrel being of such size that the opposite edges oi? the sheet overlap, and dis-charging means for the overlapped sheet mounted slidably on said mandrel. I

12. In a device for forming tubes from sheets of flexible material, a base, a first set of rails and a second set of rails disposed in side-by-side relationship, means mounting said rails on said base, a first carriage block disposed on said first set of rails, a second carriage block disposed on said second set of rails, means forming pockets in said carriage blocks, means for reciprocating said first block on-said first rails and for also reciprocating said second block on said. second set of rails after reciprocation of said first block, a magazine for a stack of sheets, means-attaching said magazine to said first block for movement therewith, said magazine having an open bottom, fixed supports for .the labels disposed below the open bottom of said magazine, arotary mandrel arranged in juxtaposition with said magazine and having a suction port therein, said mandrel having its axis disposed transverse the path of travel of the first block, a glue applicator carried by said base, means for lifting saidglue applicator when said first block has moved substantially to one end of said firstset of rails, whence said magazine is located above said applicatorrso that glue is applied to one edge of the bottom sheet in said magazine, the mandrel and sheet length being of such sizes that when said block is returned and the bottom sheet is held by suction on the mandrel, there is an overlap at opposite edges of said sheet to thereby provide a gluing region, means for breaking the'suction of said port when said first carriage block has returnedto the opposite end of said first set of rails, means for discharging the tube from the mandrel and disposed on said mandrel, said last mentioned means includign a rod, a transmission connected to said rod, and means secured to said second blockfor actuating said transmission in response to movement of said second block on said second set of rails.

13. The combination of claim 12 and said mandrel having an outer end with an opening therein to accommodate a flexible container having a longitudinal axis in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said mandrel so that when the tube is discharged from said mandrel it is applied to the container held in said opening.

14. In a device for forming tubes from sheets or" flexible material, a base, a magazine, means mounting said magazine on said base for reciprocation, and means for reciprocating said magazine and having its axis transverse the path of movement of the magazine, a rotary mandrel disposed in juxtaposition with said magazine, and means operatively. connected with said mandrel for holding one edge of the bottom sheet in said magazine while said mandrel rotates thereby pulling the bottom sheet from said magazine so that the bottom sheet is formed in the shape of said mandrel.

15. In a device for forming tubes from sheets of flexible material, a base, a magazine, means that the bottom sheet is formed in the shape of siad mandrel, said mandrel being of such size with respect to the size of sheets that opposite edges of the sheets on the mandrel overlap, and means mounted on said base for applying glue on one edge of the sheet before it is overlapped on the mandrel.

16. A device for forming a tube from a sheet of flexible material, a first pair of rails and a second pair of rails disposed in side by side relationship, a first carriage block mounted on said first set of rails, means for moving said first block on said first set of rails in a linear and reciprocatory travel, a second carriage block dis posed on said second set of rails for similar movement by the said moving means after said first block has completed a single cycle of movement, 2, magazine connected to said first block for movement therewith, a mandrel mounted in juxtaposition with said magazine and having its axis disposed transverse of the first block for rotary movement. means connected to said first block and to said mandrel for operating said 14 mandrel when said first block is moved in one direction and for operating said mandrel in the opposite direction when said first block is moved in the opposite direction, said mandrel having a passage therein, a suction port opening laterally through said mandrel to hold one edge of the bottom sheet in said magazine when said magazine has once passed over said mandrel and is returning over said mandrel, means to apply glue to the bottom sheet in said magazine prior to the suction holding of the bottom sheet, whereby when said magazine has returned completely over said mandrel the bottom sheet is contained on the mandrel in the shape of the mandrel, and means for urging the formed sheet from the mandrel when said second block is operated in its reciprocatory travel on said second set of rails. FRANCIS C. WORTH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Tribbey Apr. 10, 1951 

